Ramadan: The Most Crucial Time

Ramadan is the most crucial time for a Muslim. How? The word “curse” itself evokes an unpleasant feeling. How much more terrible it would be if that curse is invoked by the greatest angel of Allah the Almighty? Surely any true Believer would do everything in his capacity to avoid becoming a target of that curse.

Let’s see what Hadith says: “Kab bin Ujrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reports that once Rasulullah (ﷺ) called the Sahabah (May Allah be pleased with him) close to the mimbar (pulpit). He then ascended the mimbar and upon ascending each step he said ‘aameen’. When he descended, the Sahabah (May Allah be pleased with them) asked him the reason for having said ‘aameen’ on each step. Rasulullah (ﷺ) replied: “When I ascended the first step Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) appeared before me and said: ‘Woe to him who found the blessed month of Ramadan and let it pass him by without gaining forgiveness.’ Upon that I said: ‘Aameen’. When I ascended the second step he said: ‘Woe to him before whom your name is mentioned and he does not recite Durood on you.’ I replied: ‘Aameen’. When I ascended the third step he said: ‘Woe to him in whose presence both his parents or either one of them attains old age and (through failure to serve them) he is not allowed to enter Jannah.’ I said: Ameen.” -Shuabul Imaan; 1471.

In the light of the above Hadith, can any Believer be casual and careless about the great month of Ramadan and risk the curse of Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam)? Can any person afford to let this great month go by without having exerted himself in order to gain the forgiveness of Allah? How then is this forgiveness gained and how is it lost?

Sincere Repentance

The answer to both the above questions is as clear as daylight. Make sincere repentance, keep all the fasts, perform all the salaah including Taraweeh Salaah, recite as much of the Holy Quran as possible, engage in Deeni efforts that are totally in conformance to the Shariah and keep yourself occupied in other righteous deeds. Insha-Allah the mercy of Allah will pour down upon you and complete forgiveness will be attained.

Incurring the Curse

However, failing to sincerely repent, neglecting the fasts, salaah and other obligations or engaging in any sin will deprive one of the forgiveness of Allah. This also exposes one to the curse of Jibreel (alaihis salaam) mentioned above.

The month of Ramadan is a month of reaping tremendous rewards and blessings, not a time to incur curses. It is a month when rewards of righteous actions are multiplied manifold and blessings are showered down. It would be the height of ingratitude and also utter foolishness to ignore these blessings and become involved in sins.

Let us use this crucial time to gain the best rewards and gain the forgiveness of Allah. If we fail, we could become the target of the curse of Jibreel (alaihis salaam). Then who can save us?

May Allah grant us the ability to be steadfast on the Deen and to refrain from all sins. Ameen.